Champions Asante Kotoko failed to fire at home against debutants Amidaus Professionals and Berekum Chelsea secured the only home victory but Aduana Stars and Medeama SC were the biggest winners as the 2012/13 season took centre stage across the country on Sunday.
Amidaus who had earlier this year defeated Kotoko 2-0 in the FA Cup, were fearless even in front of the Porcupine Warriors’ own supporters at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and could have even earned more than the point they took for holding last season’s winners and top scorers to a goalless stalemate on match day one.
Chelsea who are keen on winning the coveted title and with it, a return to the CAF Champions’ League they debuted in earlier this year, sit atop the league table on goal difference following a 2-0 home victory over Kpando Heart of Lions. Former Liberty Professionals striker Latif Salifu opened Chelsea’s account for the season on his competitive debut for the Berekum club before Abdul Wahab sealed the three points.
2009/10 champions Aduana Stars scored twice in injury time to steal victory from the jaws of defeat in Wa against All Stars who failed to hold on to Stephen Nyarko’s first half strike. Emmanuel Akuoko and John Ashong were the heroes for Aduana who have long time assistant Kwamena Ameyaw now in full charge of technical affairs.
Medeama failed to deliver the league title they promised their fans but after rallying late in the season to finish in the Top 4 last term, the Tarkwa side have started brightly, Daniel Larbi Koomson’s 28th minute strike proving decisive against FA Cup champs New Edubiase at the Gyamfi park in Bekwai.
A four goal thriller was served soccer fans at the Tamale Sports Stadium as Ashantigold took the fight to returnees RTU but the ‘pride of the North’ proved how ready they were to retake their spot on the table of Ghana football with an equally good response in this, a contender for match of the week. Gargo Mohammed’s side were first to get unto the score sheet 13 minutes into the second half but Ashgold pegged back after 78 minutes before notching what appeared to be the winner on the 89th minute mark through former Kotoko and Hearts striker Louis Agyemang. RTU however will not be defeated and duly got the equaliser deep into injury time for a thrilling 2-2 result.
Concluding the match action was a tale of two penalties at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi where Dwarfs who were playing home-away-from-home against Berekum Arsenal, shot into an 8th minute lead on the converted spot kick of Bright Lukman. Arsenal will however equalize on the stroke of full time after Edmund Owusu Peprah converted a penalty award of their own. 1-1 it finished and a share of the spoils.
Match day one concludes on Wednesday when Hearts of Oak play as guests of Tema Youth at the Tema Stadium. Their tie had to be postponed due to the Tema side’s contribution of more than 3 players to the national U-20 team which just qualified to next year’s Africa youth championship. Earlier on Saturday, King Faisal held Liberty Professionals 1-1 at the Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman in the opening match of the new Ghanaian football season.Credit:
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